Philip Cocu is the latest name to be linked with the vacant manager's seat at the Stadium of Light, after a flurry of bets has seen the Dutchman rise as highly as second favourite. The 44-year-old PSV manager is hot property after cruising to the Eredivisie title, winning 29 league games out of 34 in the process. His team only drew once all season due to their ruthless ability to kill teams off, a quality that Sunderland have severely lacked all season after enduring 17 stalemates in the league. Cocu took over PSV in July 2013 and guided them to fourth place, before galvanising the squad in 2014/15 and led them to their first Dutch title in seven years, raising his profile immeasurably. He played for PSV across two spells during his playing career, but Cocu made his biggest impact with Barcelona, with 292 appearances as a midfield anchorman, breaking up the play and distributing the ball to an array of talents that included Ronaldinho. Cocu also made 101 appearances for the Dutch national team behind the likes of Dennis Bergkamp and Patrick Kluivert. Cocu worked under Advocaat at PSV before succeeding him as manager, while the recently-departed Black Cats boss has offered his recommendations to Chairman Ellis Short. It would be an ambitious swoop, but if Cocu wants a shot at managing in the Premier League, Advocaat's persuasive powers and Short's wallet could see him land on Wearside.